Remote Controlled Separable Electronic Price Tag

ABSTRACT

An electronic price tag is composed of separable internal and display modules and is adapted for wireless adjustment. The ID module is mounted to the goods at, for example, a point of manufacture for the goods, and contains a transponder and CPU, a receiver/decoder module, for example a horn, mounted to the placard for receiving signals from a remote location and decoding same to be inputted to the price display field and an electrically controlled latching mechanism to temporarily hold the modules together. The display module consists of a display placard, a plurality of price display fields on the placard. The separated ID module is capable of performing security and inventory functions where display is not needed. The display module is reusable and may contain a rechargeable battery.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electronic price display systems andmore particularly, to price tags that are electronically controlled fromremote locations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The retail industry needs to be extremely efficient at identifying andordering goods as well as at the display of the goods, posting the priceof such goods and attracting the attention of its customers to the priceof such goods especially when goods are marked down for promotionalpurposes. This applies both to inventory ordering and back ordering ofgoods, as well as the actual sales of goods from existing stock. Profitmargins may be critically dependent on those factors, especially whenretailers have to turn over or clear out stock.

A retailer orders goods or products, commonly known as SKU'S (stockkeeping units), to be shipped from a manufacturer or distributor. Thegoods arrive at the retailer in bulk, together with invoices, bills oflading, or other transit documents that the retailer must check toconfirm that the goods have indeed been delivered. The goodsarrive—usually with price tags already attached. If the price tag isincorrect or missing, the retailers usually charge back to the supplierscertain fees to recoup the retailers' expenses related to requiredcorrective action.

The label or price tag affixed to the goods bears indicia pertaining tothe particular product and store, i.e. store name, bar code, SKU, modelnumber, size, color, etc., and is displayed when the SKU is placed outfor purchase. Those goods not sold are put on sale or marked down. Thisrequires adjusting the original price and writing the adjusted price onthe tag. This may occur repeatedly before the SKU is actually sold.

The retailers' marketing (pricing) strategy is vulnerable to access bycompetitors when the retailer has affixed the price tag to the productbefore it is shipped to a specific store or stores and while the goodsare often in another's possession with the price exposed. The potentialfor unauthorized access to the retailer's pricing strategy for asubstantial time might prevent the retailer from achieving maximumprofitability.

In all the situations presented above, considerable time is lost“tagging” the goods for sale and manually adjusting the price. In mostinstances the price is revised/adjusted downward. This imposesadditional cost on the retailer due to the manual labor necessary forthe “tagging” process.

In response to these problems various electronic display systems wereproposed, some of which address certain of the disadvantages discussedabove. None of these systems, however, have achieved commercial successmostly due to overly complicated technological conceptualizations ofelectronic tagging systems involving radio receivers, complex logicalsystems and elaborate displays. As a result they failed to reducemanufacturing costs to the price per unit that would be commerciallyacceptable.

Some systems are designed or purport to combat the “shrinkage” problemat retail. This formidable task requires outsmarting the technologicallysophisticated thief, who may be a customer or an employee of theretailer. Such systems are very expensive and so far have not beenwidely adopted by the industry.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,684 to Johnsen is concerned with the use of anelectronic inventory label as a component of a security system. It alsorefers to its use for pricing, tracking, accounting and inventorycontrol. The embodiment of the system, however, is directed towardsachieving/performing its security functions and therefore requirescomponents that make the system expensive. Indeed, it is only inconnection with solving security problems that a system such as thatdescribed in Johnsen could justify its high cost. Although, inprinciple, Johnsen's application mentions pricing, tracking andaccounting, it could never be cost-effectively produced to perform thosefunctions alone. Johnsen's system makes economic sense only when thesavings to be derived from elimination of theft are substantial. Thecomplexity of Johnsen's system is inherent in his disclosure and teachesaway from the development of a practical product a claim that Johnsennever achieves or even suggests.

The Johnsen system has been an economic failure. It has been defeated byits cost and complexity. It also fails to demonstrate that it coulddefend against a sufficiently clever thief. Thus, its inordinate expenseis unlikely to attract users who believe it could accomplish its statedpurpose. Once defeated, commercial introduction was apparently droppedand never improved for practical use as a price or marking tag.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,096 to Watanabe et al., assigned to Nippondenso Co.,Ltd., provides an electronic tag for storing delivery information havinga responder to transmit the delivery information in response to a querysignal. The tag has a battery that is initiated only when torn, toextend battery shelf life. This complex system is described in 76 pagesof drawings. However, the product conceived is a one-piece apparatus.

This is clearly seen for example in column 61, line 55 where structuresare described as forming “a permanent joint”, which is also described aspossible by use of an adhesive agent. Its one-piece design places severeeconomic restriction/limitation on the entire manufacturing cost

U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,670 to Goodwin, assigned to NCR Corporation,describes an integral system for providing promotional messages on anelectronic price label.

Further recent examples of integral electronic labels are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,337,836, entitled “Programmable electronic label”, U.S.Pat. No. 6,293,463 entitled “Electronic price label battery storageapparatus and replacement method”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,603, entitled“Low-powered RF-linked price display system”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,359entitled “Method of minimizing power consumption within an electronicprice label”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,915 entitled “Transmission system” andU.S. Pat. No. 5,340,968 entitled “Information storage medium withelectronic and visual areas”. U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,149 to CreDeau et al.discloses a computer controller connected to a series of hard-wireddisplay units. U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,880 to Gomersall et al. discloses aseries of remote displays actuated by a computer showing pricingdisplays mounted on individual price tags. U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,368 toLarson et al. discloses a series of remote lock boxes controlled by acentral computer through radio frequencies and/or telephone lines. U.S.Pat. No. 4,888,709 to Revesz et al. discloses what appears to be a radiotransmitted series of signals directed to remote displays located onshelves to control the pricing on the remote display. U.S. Pat. No.5,019,811 discloses a series of remote display units directed from acentral system. The display units could not be used for individual pricetags U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,563 to Connor et al. discloses a display deviceuseful for mounting cards or other items. U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,653 to DeTemDle et al. discloses a hard wired grid controlled from a centralsource, having a plurality of stations which then send infrared signalsto display units or can be used to receive information from shoppingcarts and the like to indicate shoppers habits. U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,622to Giordano, Jr. discloses a shelf-mounted display that receives radiofrequency information by means of an antenna 24 and then displays theinformation on a display unit 22. This system is also intended formounting on shelves.

It is therefore desirable to separate those components that may bepermanently attached to a product from those possibly more expensivecomponents that are reusable, and to do this in a manner that advancesthe functionality of the separate components.

It is therefore desirable to have the SKU's arrive at the retailestablishment already having a less costly portion of a price tagmounted to the SKU or even concealed within the product, which whenconnected to a reusable component, may reduce substantially the timerequired for processing incoming goods and displaying them to thepurchasing public. Alternatively, the retailer may elect to have thesupplier provide the SKU with a price tag having a reusable or athrowaway component already in place, attached to the SKU. This, asmentioned above, significantly affects merchants' profits. A retailer'sability to handle incoming goods that already have price tags attached,coupled with the ability to immediately display the goods without anyfurther effort and to electronically adjust the price of the goods froma remote location so that the consumer sees the successive priceadjustments displayed on the goods, is highly advantageous for aretailer. The manual labor cost is significantly reduced and the timelag associated with re-pricing is completely eliminated. The systemusers enjoy further advantages from the ability of the electronic tag toassist in calling attention to price reduction, inventory control andsecurity control. Certain marketing advantages will be enjoyed by usersof the system due to the look, feel and potentially sounds and visualsalerts of the invention, which are designed to attract attention fromconsumers during the shopping experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The electronic price tag invention comprises two physically separatedmodules, an ID module and a display module. The ID module is arelatively unobtrusive and less costly component fixed to an stockkeeping unit and capable of at least identifying the stock keeping unitand communicating that identification in response to an interrogatingsignal. It may also receive and store information concerning the stockkeeping unit. That information may be provided in firmware or stored infirmware upon receipt by the ID module. The information may continue tobe provided even after the ID module is attached to the stock keepingunit. Preferably the ID module does not contain a power supply butinstead relies upon a transponder that derives its power from a receivedwireless signal. Thus the ID module serves to identify the stock keepingunit and perhaps to contain information about its pricing and marketing.

The display module has display elements such as LCDs or electronic ink.It connects with the ID module either physically or via wirelessapparatus and, by utilizing information obtained from the ID module inconjunction with other information available to the display module,determines what to display and activates its display elementsaccordingly. The display module may have an on board power supply todrive the display elements. The display module may also, independentlyof the ID module's communication components, receive and storeinformation to be displayed. For this purpose it may have its ownonboard communications component, which may include a transponderassembly.

To some extent the individual components of the electronic price tag maybe located on one module or the other provided that the ID modulecontains identification components and the display module containsdisplay components. In addition, there may be some components, forexample communication or transponder components, that may be found onboth modules. The determination of what to display on the display modulemay be the result of an algorithm running on the ID module whichcommunicates its results to the display module. Alternatively, thedetermination of what to display on the display module may be the resultof an algorithm running on the display module possibly usingidentification information from the ID module, or an algorithm runningon an outside device having a processor and communicating with at leastthe display module.

To overcome the shortcomings of known price tag devices and systems inthe retail environment, there is provided an electronic price tagcomprising two separable components, termed an “ID module” and a“display module” together comprising the “unit”. It is expected that theID module be embedded or otherwise permanently attached to the productby the product manufacturer/distributor and that the display modulewhether reusable or a throw away type be attached to the product by themanufacturer/distributor or the retailer. The retailer may have theoption to order goods with the two components already secured or withonly the ID module provided so that the retailer may opt to re-use thedisplay modules it might already have in his possession. The unit isadapted for wireless adjustment, that consists of an ID modulepreferably having a transponder (or hardware sufficient to contain aunique I.D. for the product that may be accessed electronically) mounteddirectly to the product at the point of manufacture or at any point inthe chain of commerce up to the actual location of retail sales; adisplay module preferably a receiver/decoder module, for example a horn,for receiving signals and decoding the same to be inputted to the pricedisplay fields (or any comparable hardware accessible from a remote unitcommunicating with the ID module); one or more price display fields onthe display module; and a power source, for example a battery pack, onthe display module to provide power for the display elements (orhardware able to be energized by a remote source). The invention is notstrictly limited specifically to the manner in which tag elements aredivided between the two components, but rather to having adivision/separation between the components (and a remote access unit)that reduces the expense of the ID module below that of the cost of anentire tag.

Additionally, the separable and adjustable display module of the presentinvention permits the retailer to maintain in confidence and secrecyprice information pertaining to the specific goods, i.e. the goods donot have to be routed through a supplier or other third parties thatwould affix the price tags to the manufactured items and have knowledgeof pricing strategy. The price tag of the present inventionsubstantially reduces, if not eliminates, the undesirable aspect ofproviding competitors with a way to obtain information regarding theprice of particular goods prior to making the goods available forpurchase. Therefore, a sale price or the lowest price for the goods canbe displayed at the last possible moment.

A still another object of the present invention is to provide aseparable unit that has its ID module or an integral unit comprisingboth internal and display modules mounted to the goods for sale at thepoint of manufacture of the goods.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a separableunit having one or more price display fields wirelessly adjustable froma remote location.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a separableunit whose ID module is mounted to the goods at the point of manufactureand is, after attachment to a display module, capable of displaying theprice, as well as retail indicia, such as the retailer's name, productname, size, color, bar code, etc.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an ID modulefor a separable unit, which substantially reduces the amount of timenecessary to document and inventory goods received by the retailer fromthe manufacturer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat develops customer loyalty by alerting the consumer to pricereductions and showing successive price changes of goods.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat alerts customers to the tag when the price was change through audioor visual signals.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat may be cost-effectively used (is economical to use) in practice.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat is usable in all retail environments with all types of goods.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a separableunit that substantially reduces the amount of time necessary to adjustthe price tag to indicate price changes for the goods.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat responds to wireless signals from radio frequencies, microwaves orother wavelengths that are actuated by a transceiver that is beingcontrolled by computer software or some other means for executingdecisions in real time with or without human intervention from a remotelocation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat permits the retailer to monitor sales and adjust marketing strategyin response to said sales without having to adjust each tag manually.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unit anda system therefor which can transmit necessary pricing data to allrelevant merchandise

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unit andsystem therefore which can be manipulated from the retailer's storeand/or warehouse distribution center to signal the individual price tagat the remote retail locations and notify the individual retailers thatsuch price manipulation has occurred.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat can be programmed to set price automatically according topredetermined algorithms. Such algorithms may lock in the lowest pricefor the product to comply with fair market sales or adjust automaticallybased on fluctuations in exchange rates or inventory levels.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat permits pricing of the product to be completed upon first receivingthe product at the retail site.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat will be accepted by those retailers demanding SKU'S to be“pre-priced” or “pre-tagged”.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat would prevent unauthorized switching of the prices for the product.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat has a replaceable or rechargeable power means such as a batterypack or a solar cell.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat would be able to withstand shipment with the goods over greatdistances.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat can be constructed of, for example, paperboard, cardboard, orplastics.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unit thedisplay module of which is easily removed from the goods after the goodshave been purchased.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a separable unitthat is also adapted for its ID module being mounted to containers forgoods at the point of manufacture for the goods.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in one embodiment aseparable unit whose ID module is inexpensive to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, referencemay be had to the following detailed description of the invention takenin conjunction with the drawings herein, of which:

FIG. 1 is a general layout view of a preferred embodiment of theseparable unit.

FIG. 2 is a mechanical layout view of a preferred embodiment of theseparable unit

FIG. 3 is a detail of a connector of a preferred embodiment of theseparable unit.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a first embodiment of separable unitaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the separable unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of a second embodiment of separable unitaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of the separable unit shown FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is side view of a third embodiment of separable unit according tothe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of elements used in the separable unit of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a system block diagram of the operation of the separable unitof the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method using the separable unit accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an electronic price tag system separable intotwo components, an ID module for attachment to a product and a displaymodule, separable from the ID module. The display module in oneembodiment includes the electronic display such as an LCD display,which, of the various electronic components, makes the greatest demandon battery power. Accordingly, the display module preferably contains abattery that may be recharged. Alternatively the display may beenergized from a remote power source. Although less preferable, thepower source may be a component of the ID module.

The ID module is intended to be attached by the product manufacturer. Itmay be supplied together with the display module, or the retailer mayinventory reusable display modules. The ID module may perform functionsindependent of the display module.

By preferably having a transponder the ID module may respond to externalelectronic queries and provide inventory information or any otherfunction, particularly where it is not necessary to provide a visualdisplay. Similarly, the ID module may be programmed by an externalsource communicating through its transponder means and therefore will“know” the price of goods without requiring attachment of the displayunit.

The ID module may also provide a security function by being capable ofresponding to a query as a customer passes outside the boundaries of apre-determined perimeter. Such a perimeter may be enforced by directingconsumers and employees to pass through an invisible electronicscreening system when leaving the retail premises or by utilizingpositioning systems or triangulation techniques. In any event, forlittle more than the cost of present security tags, the ID module may beprovided by the product distributor, while the cost of the display unitis captured in a reusable device.

Before describing the details of the operation of the individualdevices, the preferred means for their attachment will be described. Itprovides not only a secure attachment, but one that enhances thesecurity aspects of the system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ID module has an attachment for mounting to aproduct at a point of manufacture/distribution and an electronicadjustment assembly. Examples of such attachments include plastic wires,adhesives, staples, Velcro, or sewing in place. The electronicadjustment assembly has signal receiving means, such as, an antenna forreceiving a wireless signal, a filter to filter out extraneous signals,a decoder to identify a product code, a standby element connecting thefilter and the decoder to determine whether to provide an actuatingsignal to the price tag to adjust the price of the product, a signalprocessor for converting signals to digital data and a centralprocessing unit (CPU) connected to the signal processor. The ID modulemay also have driver elements for driving the display contained in theseparable display module although these drivers are preferably part ofthe display module to further reduce the cost of the ID module. Thesevarious elements may be combined wholly or in part into an integratedstructure such as a large scale integrated chip or printed circuitboard.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the separable display module has a supportplatform with front and back surfaces, a tag display with LCD orelectronic ink display, a connector control and a power source, whichmay be a rechargeable battery pack. Although this support platform isnot necessary for the invention, it is part of the preferred embodimentbecause it allows for functional additions to the unit after it has beenproduced and integrated into the workflow of a retailer, thus enhancingthe economic benefits associated with reusability. It is also within thescope of this invention to provide a rechargeable battery or other powersource in the ID module. The power sources suitable for this inventioncould include a circuit containing a capacitor that is charged from anexternal source of power such as a microwave source. Another powersource could be a chemical cell or solar cell.

The general layout of the separable tag system is shown in FIG. 1. Theinternal units comprise the transponder, exciter/antenna filter, astandby module, I.D. firmware for receiving the SKU number connectedthrough the latch to the display module.

The display module contains a transponder, signal processor, CPU, apower source such as a battery pack that may be recharged and aconnector control for controlling a latch in response to a commandreceived from the CPU. It additionally contains the displays and thedisplay drivers that are also controlled by the CPU. The ID module maybe embedded in the product, while the display module is placed so thatit may be seen by the consumer.

The mechanical layout shown in FIG. 2 displays a configuration for thetag unit. For connecting the separable display module to the ID modulethere is a latch system that is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in the figure,the latch system has a receiver in the ID module, which may be but isnot required to be a female connector, and a connector in the displaymodule, which may be but is not required to be a male connector. In thepreferred embodiment, where the receiver is female and the connectormale, an electromagnetic plunger is designed to enter a port in theconnector to securely lock the two modules together.

The electromagnetic plunger is spring loaded to its engagement positionin which it enters the port in the connector. By having a slantedsurface on the plunger it is possible to engage the display module tothe ID module without electrically activating the plunger. However,separation of the modules requires activation of the electromagneticplunger as a security measure. Also, as shown in the figures, theplunger has electrical contacts, employing slip ring-brush typeconnectors. In particular the plunger may have a contacting ring makingcontact with brushes in both modules.

As an alternative to a physical latch, the two components of the tag maycommunicate with each other via wireless signals (for example by radiofrequency or by microwave) electronic or optical signals (for example byinfra red signals). The communication may take place in only onedirection or involve communication intermediated by an external sourceand receiver.

For security purposes, at the cash register the display module isdisconnected by a checking out process that provides a command to theunit to disconnect once payment is accepted. If the display module ismanually disconnected (broken) accidentally or by malice a notificationthat could trigger an alarm system or alert security personnel, will betransmitted when the any one of the modules passes the pre-determinedboundary of the retailers secured environment.

FIGS. 4-8 disclose embodiments of a separable electronic price taghaving an ID module that is affixed to goods at point of manufacture.The price tag according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and5 generally as A; in FIGS. 6 and 7 generally as B, and in FIG. 8generally as 10C.

FIGS. 4 and 5, are the first embodiment of the price tag. The price tagA includes a display module having a panel or platform 12A of not-shownconductive material. The material can be made of paperboard, cardboardor polymers such as plastic, but does not have to be limited to thesematerials. It is preferred that the material is of a non-conductivenature so as not to interfere with the transmission and receipt ofsignals at the price tag A. Some flexibility of the panel A ispreferred.

The panel 12A includes a front or display surface 14A, and a backsurface 16A. The front surface 14A is conducive to receiving printedindicia thereon such as identifying indicia for the retailer's name 18A,product particulars such as size and color, a bar code 22A, and a stockkeeping unit (SKU) number. The panel 12A can be of any size, shape orcolor to meet the needs of the product to be sold in the retailenvironment.

An electronic display region 28A is disposed on the front surface 14A ofthe panel 12A. The electronic display region 28A includes display fields30A, 32A, 34A (30A-34A). The display fields are preferably liquidcrystal displays (LCDs) or electronic ink. The latter may comprise anyindicia responsive to electronic signals that produce a visible image inan appropriate display. Such systems are well known in the art. Thefields 30A-34A are electronically connected for separable operation orin conjunction with each other. The display fields 30A-34A may bemanipulated from a remote location to display a single price orsuccession of prices for the goods to which the price tag 12A isattached.

An ID module comprises the other major component of the electronic pricetag system. It may have an aperture 26A extending completely through itsstructure to facilitate attaching the ID module to the product at thepoint of manufacture. The aperture 26A extending through the ID moduleis designed to, for example, receive a plastic lanyard (not shown) to beattached to the goods at the point of manufacture. In view of itsrelatively few components and in those cases where it has no displayelements, it may be concealed within a garment. For this reason it maybe provided with a transponder to activate a security alarm or toprovide inventory recognition that does not require the presence of adisplay function. The means of attachment may also include plastic wire,stapling, adhesives, Velcro, or sewing into the SKU. In fact, any of theattachment devices could be used within the scope of this invention.

In general then, the ID module may be utilized without the displaymodule for inventory control and for shoplifting suppression, replacingitems attached to products for those limited purposes.

A receiver-decoder horn 36A is mounted to the ID module. The horn 36A orother receiver/decoder module receives wireless signals generated from aremote location and decodes the signals to be displayed in the fields30A-34A of the display region 28A.

A power source such as a battery pack 38A is mounted to the back surface16A of the panel 12A of the display module to provide power for the horn36A and the display fields 30A-34A of the display region 28A. Thebattery employed with the pack can be of a type that is replaceable or adisposable one. Alternatively, the power source may replenish itself, aswith solar cells.

The arrangement of the display region 28A, and the battery pack 38A withrespect to the panel 12A is such that these elements can be chemicallyfastened or press fit to the panel 12A or adjoined to each other withouta panel.

FIGS. 6-7 disclose a second embodiment of the price tag B of the presentinvention. Elements for the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-7, whichare the same as those elements referred to in FIGS. 4 and 5, arereferred to by the same reference numeral including the capital letter“B”. Elements in FIGS. 6-7 which correspond to the same elements inFIGS. 4-5 perform the same functions unless otherwise indicated.

This embodiment can have the ID module integrated into the products atthe point of manufacture. This is preferable to fastening the moduleonto the containers in which the products are shipped from the point ofmanufacture. This allows continuous monitoring/communicating with theproducts from inception as they leave the assembly line through supplychain to end users as well as for the purpose of returning merchandiseback to retailers and after sale service and maintenance. The lesspreferable attachment to the packaging is however a possibility and mayrequire an extension ‘cable’ to connects the ID module with the surfaceof the packaging box where the display module will be attached. Whenchecked out, the display module and the extension ‘cable’ aredisconnected from the ID module. Alternatively, the two modules maycommunicate with wireless technology such as radio frequency or infraredtechnologies thus eliminating the need for an extension ‘cable’. Thebattery pack 38B is mounted to the back 16B of the panel 12B in themanner described with reference to the first embodiment of FIGS. 4 and5. However, in this embodiment, a sheet of adhesive 40 is provided tosandwich the battery pack 38B between the adhesive sheet 40 and thepanel 12B. This is accomplished by having a front adhesive surface 42 ofthe adhesive sheet 40 pressed against the back 16B of the panel 12B tohold the battery pack 38B securely to the back surface 16B of the panel12B.

Another preferred embodiment includes the adhesive sheet 40 having anelongated channel 46 or groove sized and shaped to receive the batterypack 38B therein. In this manner of construction, when the front surface42 of the adhesive sheet 40 is adhered to the back 16B of the panel 12B,there is presented a uniform and streamlined appearance of the backsurface 44 of the sheet 40. Another possible embodiment is to allow fora discardable or rechargeable battery that is an integral part of theprinted circuit of the display module and not necessarily a separateunit. In the discardable case the whole display module may be discarded.Another possible embodiment utilizes a permanent magnet for its adhesiveproperties.

In FIG. 8, still another embodiment of the unit according to the presentinvention is shown generally at 10C. In this manner of construction,elements that are the same as those shown with respect to the embodimentFIGS. 4-5 have the same reference number and include the letter “C”. Allelements perform the same functions unless otherwise indicated.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the placard or panel for the pricetag is shown generally at 12C. An electronic display unit 50 on thedisplay module consists of an LCD display region 28C, a receiver-decoderhorn 36C and a battery pack 38C. Electronics for the display unit 50 areshown generally at 52. The display unit 50 is formed as an integral unitthat is, for example, press fit into or sandwiched between a pluralityof layers 54, 56 of the panel 12C. Other methods to mount the displayunit 50 to the panel 12C can be employed.

Referring to FIGS. 9-10, a diagram 60 (FIG. 9) is shown for operation ofthe price tag 10A-10C of the present invention. The block diagram 60pertains to all of the embodiments shown with respect to FIGS. 4-7. Allof the elements in the schematic shown in FIG. 10 form part of theelectronic price tag 10A-10C. By way of example only, reference numeralswill be those used in association with the first embodiment shown inFIGS. 4-5.

At a remote location either in the retail store or at a distributioncenter for the retail store, manual input 62 shown in FIG. 10, is keyedinto a central processing unit (CPU) 64 to store price data for lateravailability and manipulation. The digital data in the CPU 64 can thenbe processed by a signal processor into analog data for wirelesstransmission by a transmitter 66 to one of the embodiments of theelectronic price tag A-10C. The wireless transmission 68 can beimplemented by radio waves, microwaves, etc. In the clutteredenvironment of a retail store and large warehouses, line of sightwireless transmissions do not provide the necessary reliability,although they can be used to a certain extent.

The wireless analog data in the signal 68 is received by the horn 36A ofthe electronic price tag A. An exciter 70, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10includes an antenna and a filter that insures that only those wirelesssignals specific to the electronic price tag will be received. A standby72 element is provided which interconnects the exciter 70 with an I.D.firmware 74 having the SKU product number. The standby 72 remainspassive until a signal 68 is received. The firmware 74 is essentially amicrochip encoded with the product data (SKU number) specific to theproduct to which the electronic price tag A is attached. The firmware 74is preferably incorporated into the electronic price tag A at the pointof manufacture for the product. If a decoder 76 does not recognize therequired code or SKU number for the product to activate the electronicprice tag for price manipulation, the standby 72 does not actuate thetag electronics. If, on the other hand, the proper code is received, thewireless analog signal 68 is converted to digital data by a signalprocessor 78 for use with a central processing unit 80. The CPUtransmits digital data to drivers 82, 84, 86 that correspond to thedisplay fields 30A, 32A, 34A. The drivers select the display field towhich the price 25 information will be transmitted to stimulate the LCDfields so that the price selected is displayed in the fields.

As shown in FIG. 10, the electronic price tags 10A-10C are controlledfrom a remote location 88. The CPU 80 is used to select a particular oneof the drivers 82-86 for a corresponding one of the displays 30A-34A.

If subsequent to the date of entry of the original price, the price ofthe goods is reduced, the Display “a” 30A can be maintained, and thesecond transmission of price data would immediately be displayed atDisplay “b” (32A).

Finally, if the product after a period of time has been reduced to itsfinal sale price, that price will be displayed in Display “c” 34A. Ifthe price in Display 34C is the lowest price, the system can beprogrammed to automatically “lock-in” this price, and no furtheradjustments to the price will be permitted.

In FIG. 11, a flow chart of a method according to the present inventionis provided. As discussed above, the cost-effectiveness of the methodfor the present invention derives from attaching electronic price tagsto goods at their point of manufacture.

The first procedure in the method according to the present invention isforming 90 the tag to be attached to goods. The construction of the tagincludes printing 92 retailer and product information on a surface ofthe electronic price tag. This information, including entering 94information about the price, is done during the construction of the tagand may include the I.D. firmware 74 element as discussed above withrespect to FIG. 9. The tag is then attached 96 to the specific productor SKU, after which the SKU or a plurality of the SKU'S are packaged 98for shipment to a main distribution center for a retailer, or directlyto the retailer.

At the distribution center for the retail store or the retail store, thepackage is received 110, where the package is staged 116 for unpackaging 118 prior to racking 120 of the SKU'S. Immediately upon receiving110 the package having the SKU or SKU'S therein, the retailer has theoption to enter the price 112 or adjust the price 114 of the SKU'S froma remote location, such as a control office of the retailer. This may benecessary due to the unusually long period of time the packaging was intransit, or perhaps supply/demand of the product has been affected,thereby warranting 114 a price change. The price entry 112 andadjustment 114 can be implemented immediately upon receiving 1 thepackage, i.e. the retailer does not have to remove the products from thepackaging.

After it has been determined that the price does not require adjustmentor the necessary price adjustment has been made, the packages are staged116 for unpacking 118. During the staging 116 and unpacking 118 steps,and even after unpacking 118 of the products, the retailer can stillmanipulate the price as necessary.

Thereafter the products are racked 120, i.e. physically moved to thedisplay racks or shelves in the retail establishment whereupon theconsumers will review the products for sale.

Each of the products for sale with its own individual ID module of anelectronic price tag attached to it, now ready in the display aisle,together with the display module can have its particular price adjusted.This is beneficial in that the same type of product may arrive over aperiod of time, for example six months, and it may be desirable to movethe earlier shipped inventory under a sales program earlier than theinventory that arrived more recently. In that regard, the retailer canagain, while the product is on the shelf enter 122 the particular pricefor the product from the control room of the retail establishment andtransmit 124 the price to that particular product for sale. The price isreceived 126 by the electronic price tag for a particular product andimmediately thereafter displays 128 that price selected by the retailerand transmitted from the remote location in the retail establishment.

It is understood that the central distribution site for the retail storeor the chain of stores can also implement this sort of transmission tomanipulate the prices of the goods.

After the particular product has been on the shelf for a period of timedeemed unusually long by the retailer, the retailer merely has to go tothe control room and adjust 130 the price of the particular product thatneeds to be adjusted downward. The adjusted price is transmitted 132 toa specific one of the electronic price tags where it is received 134 anddisplayed 136 on the electronic price tag attached to the product thatis to be on sale.

The retailer and the central distribution site for the retailer, if oneis used, can monitor 138 sales activity of the particular product at thereduced price. If it is determined that the price is still not lowenough, the procedure begins all over again with the price beingadjusted 130 for transmission 132 to the product. This procedurecontinues until the product is sold 140.

In certain industries, fair market pricing applies. In such a market,the manufacturer or controller of the product sale price under acontract with the retailer will not permit the product to be soldbeneath a certain price. If this is the case, the electronic price tagA-10C can be encoded so that the price tag locks at a certain presetprice, thereby assuring the retailer that he will not sell the productbelow the fair market price and breach his contract and the good willthat has developed with the—manufacturer of the goods.

As the prices are adjusted to sell the product, each earlier price underwhich the product was offered may be displayed. Any number of pricedisplay fields can be manufactured into the electronic price tag asrequired by the retailer.

The electronic price tag can have a multiplicity of electronic pricedisplay fields 30A-34A which consumers will see to determine thesuccessive markdowns on the products.

The pricing data used with the price tag can be stored in the computersystem for subsequent recall of later received goods of similar nature.

In addition, pricing data can be stored and generated automatically atselect periods of time throughout the week, month or whatever timeperiod is designated by the retailer, so that there is an orderlyprocession of price reductions for goods that remain on the sellingfloor for an unusual period of time.

It bears emphasis that the embodiments described herein are merelyexemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variationsand modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. All such modifications and variations of the invention areintended to be covered in the appended claims.

1-3. (canceled)
 4. An electronic price tag comprising an ID moduleidentifying a particular stock keeping unit, a physically separatedisplay module having display elements, said separate display modulecapable of communication with said ID module, and a third module,separate from both the ID module and the display module, incommunications with the ID module, to determine the identity of thestock keeping unit and capable of communicating information based uponthat identity to the display module. 5-7. (canceled)
 8. An electronicprice tag comprising an ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and aphysically separate display module, said ID module comprising means forcommunicating a signal determining the identification of the stockkeeping unit in response to an interrogating signal, means for receivingand storing information concerning the stock keeping unit, wherein saiddisplay module comprises display elements, means for connecting to theID module, means to determine display content, and means to receive andstore information to be displayed.
 9. The electronic price tagcomprising an ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and aphysically separate display module of claim 8, wherein the informationconcerning the stock keeping unit may be provided in firmware.
 10. Theelectronic price tag comprising an ID module identifying a stock keepingunit and a physically separate display module of claim 8, wherein theinformation concerning the stock keeping unit may be stored in firmwareupon receipt by the ID module.
 11. The electronic price tag comprisingan ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and a physically separatedisplay module of claim 8, wherein information is provided to the IDmodule after the ID module is attached to the stock keeping unit. 12.The electronic price tag comprising an ID module identifying a stockkeeping unit and a physically separate display module of claim 8,wherein said display module further comprises a power supply.
 13. Theelectronic price tag comprising an ID module identifying a stock keepingunit and a physically separate display module of claim 8, wherein saiddisplay module further comprises a transponder that derives its powerfrom a received electromagnetic signal.
 14. The electronic price tagcomprising an ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and aphysically separate display module of claim 8, wherein the ID moduleidentifies a stock keeping unit and contains information about itspricing and pricing adjustments.
 15. The electronic price tag comprisingan ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and a physically separatedisplay module of claim 8, wherein said display elements comprise LCDs.16. The electronic price tag comprising an ID module identifying a stockkeeping unit and a physically separate display module of claim 8,wherein said display elements comprise electronic ink or otherpersistent electronic markers.
 17. The electronic price tag comprisingan ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and a physically separatedisplay module of claim 8, wherein said means for connecting to the IDmodule comprises a physical connection.
 18. The electronic price tagcomprising an ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and aphysically separate display module of claim 8, wherein said means forconnecting to the ID module comprises an electromagnetic connection. 19.The electronic price tag comprising an ID module identifying a stockkeeping unit and a physically separate display module of claim 8,wherein said means to determine display content comprises an algorithmutilizing information obtained from the ID module.
 20. The electronicprice tag comprising an ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and aphysically separate display module of claim 8, wherein said means todetermine display content comprises an algorithm utilizing informationcommunicated to the display module.
 21. The electronic price tagcomprising an ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and aphysically separate display module of claim 8, wherein said means toreceive and store information to be displayed uses some informationindependent of the information received from the ID module.
 22. Theelectronic price tag comprising an ID module identifying a stock keepingunit and a physically separate display module of claim 21, said means toreceive and store information to be displayed comprises communicationscomponents onboard the display module.
 23. The electronic price tagcomprising an ID module identifying a stock keeping unit and aphysically separate display module of claim 22, wherein saidcommunications components onboard the display module comprises atransponder assembly. 24-42. (canceled)
 43. An ID module for a separableelectronic price tag system comprising an attachment to mount the IDmodule to a product at a point of manufacture/distribution; anelectronic adjustment assembly comprising an antenna for receiving thewireless signal; a filter connected to the antenna to filter outwireless signals to which the electronic price tag is non-responsive; adecoder connected to the filter to identify a product code in the signalcorresponding to encoded data in the decoder; a signal processorconnected to the decoder for converting data in the wireless signal todigital data; a processing unit connected to the signal processor. 44.The ID module of claim 43 further comprising a standby elementinterconnecting the filter and the decoder for determining whether toprovide an actuating signal to the price tag sufficient-to adjust theprice of the product.
 45. A separable electronic price tag systemadjustable by a wireless signal, comprising an ID module comprising anattachment to mount the ID module to a product; an electronic adjustmentassembly comprising a device for receiving the wireless signal; astandby element to adjust the price of the product; a processing unitconnected to the signal processor; a separable display module comprisingan transponder assembly comprising an antenna for receiving the wirelesssignal; a filter connected to the antenna to filter out unintendedwireless signals a decoder connected to the filter to identify a productcode in the signal corresponding to encoded data in the decoder; astandby element interconnecting the filter and the decoder fordetermining whether to provide an actuating signal to the price tagsufficient-to adjust the price of the product; a signal processorconnected to the decoder for converting data in the wireless signal todigital data; a central processing unit (CPU) connected to the signalprocessor; a support platform having a plurality of surfaces a tagdisplay, a connector control, and a power source, a plurality of driverelements, for activating corresponding displays in the separable displaymodule; said ID module and separable display module being temporarilyconnected by a latch system, said latch system comprising a receiver insaid ID module for a connector in said separable display module, aplunger in said ID module biased to secure said connector to saidreceiver.
 46. The separable electronic price tag system of claim 45,wherein said power source is mounted to the back surface of the supportplatform for powering the electronic price tag to display the priceinformation and to energize the electromagnetic plunger in said IDmodule and, when said ID module is connected to said separable displaymodule by said latch system, to power said CPU and other electroniccomponents of said ID module.
 47. The separable electronic price tagsystem of claim 46, wherein said latch system comprises electricalconnectors completing a circuit path only when said latch is engaged,said circuit path comprising slip ring brush type connectors, a powercontrol wire, and a ground negative wire.
 48. The separable electronicprice tag system of claim 47, wherein said ID module further comprises atransponder to respond to signals without being powered by said powersource when said latch is not engaged.
 49. The separable electronicprice tag system of claim 45, wherein said ID module and said Displaymodule communicate with each other via wireless signals without a needfor a physical latching system and through a specific matchingcommunication process/protocol create a coupled pair with a uniqueidentity.